HARRISBURG, Pa. — The Department of Agriculture has informed Aquila and Lydia Stoltzfus of Mill Hall, Clinton County, that the raw milk permit for Cedar Hollow Farm has been reinstated. The farm may once again sell raw milk after two samples taken on separate days tested negative for Campylobacter.
Cedar Hollow Farm's raw milk permit had been suspended since May 2 after the department found potentially harmful levels of Campylobacter in milk samples taken on April 12. No illnesses were reported to the Pennsylvania Department of Health.
Raw milk is milk that has not been pasteurized. Pennsylvania farms selling raw milk must hold a permit from the Department of Agriculture and have milk samples lab-tested due to the health risks associated with consuming unpasteurized milk.
Campylobacter is a bacterial infection that affects the intestinal tract and can sometimes enter the bloodstream and other organs. It is one of the more common causes of gastroenteritis, which results in diarrhea and vomiting. In some instances the diarrhea can be bloody. Known complications of Campylobacter infection includes Guillain-Barre syndrome, a disorder of the nervous system. Onset of illness usually occurs two to five days after exposure, but can be longer.
For more information about food safety, visit www.agriculture.state.pa.us.
Media contacts: Nicole L. C. Bucher, 717-787-5085
Source: Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture